Homemade Cornbread Dressing

I make it with my homemade cast iron buttermilk cornbread, which happens to be the best cornbread ever. In addition to homemade cornbread, this homemade cornbread dressing is filled with fresh herbs and mild Italian turkey sausage. Mmm mmm good. You’ll never go back to any of those other cornbread dressings you used to eat because this one will totally win you over.

Original photo taken 11/2013

Excerpt from original post dated 11/2013.

I have a confession to make. This is the first time that I’ve made from scratch holiday dressing. I used to purchase bags of dressing and make adjustments to the recipe on the bag. But never again.

Never.

Making homemade holiday dressing is totally worth the effort. And there really isn’t much effort to it. Make your cornbread, which can be done a day ahead of time. Saute your sausage and veggies. Crumble your cornbread and then add the sauteed sausage and veggies. Add a little broth and then add the mixture to a baking dish and bake. It’s that simple.

In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, melt the butter and the olive oil. Add the sausage and cook until browned, crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Add the onion, celery and sherry. Scrape the bits off the bottom of the skillet and then cook until the veggies are tender.

Add the sausage mixture to the crumbled cornbread and mix well. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then add the eggs, thyme, parsley, kosher salt and pepper. Mix well. Stir in the turkey stock until moistened.

Place the dressing in a well greased 2.5 quart baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden.

I agree with you on homemade dressing — it’s not even in the same league with store bought! This dressing sounds so delicious! The turkey is supposed to be the star of the show on Thanksgiving, but to me, it’s the sides (and dessert) that makes the meal really special.

I love this stuffing Julie. Very much infact. So many recipes use and stress the use of sausage and not turkey sausage. I’m so glad yours is suitable for my non-pork eating soul!! Plus, I see sherry in the ingredients too? So cool!

Homemade is definitely the way to go with cornbread dressing. It sounds like you have a great time with your family. And there is no shame is buying the meat elsewhere and spending more time with your family. Sometimes, I think we spend too much time in the kitchen and not enough time enjoying the actual holiday.

The past 5 years, I start off my morning with a turkey trot. This year, I’ll be doing one in Boston! Watching football all day is always a Thanksgiving tradition, too! I’ve never tried to make my own stuffing from scratch either. Looks like I need to!

It’s nice not having the responsibility of cooking the meat. Side dishes and baking, in my opinion, is the easy and fun part. This cornbread dressing looks amazing! I love the idea of adding turkey sausages and sherry. Delicious and pinned! Have a great time at your Mom’s Julie.

Hehe, I’m all about the sides and stuffing too! This cornbread one looks wonderful! I can imagine how flavorful it is and love all the fresh parsley and thyme in here! Pinning and thanks for sharing Julie :)

Ugh, I hate making the meat, I totally cheat too! I DO love making sides and desserts! You are right, homemade stuffing/dressing is SO easy! And, aside from dessert, thats what I’m bringing to dinner next week! I am totally trying this recipe, I think my family will love it!

Thanks for this – am definitely going to work some cornbread into my stuffing this year – do a mix of regular breads plus homemade cornbread. I always add cornmeal to my pancakes, so why not with stuffing too. Will leave the meat out though and go with chopped apples as that’s the family tradition in my house.

Julie, your stuffing looks beautiful! I could honestly just eat stuffing on Thanksgiving – well, almost! Want to try this for sure! I grew up in an Italian family, and can you believe for Thanksgiving we had the whole traditional dinner PLUS ravioli, homemade meatballs, salad, the works! No wonder my poor grandmother was exhausted, she did all the work! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe and gorgeous photo – pinning and sharing! Have a wonderful rest of the week!